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11 thoughts on “The beauty of Ashtanga Vinyasa”

Andreas, do you recommend any particular books or videos for a beginner? I don’t really have time for a class but I think some basic yoga could help my balance, strength, and flexibility for my rock climbing.

But videos are better and classes are best. That’s because the point of Ashtanga is not so much each individual pose but the way they are strung together in a flow, and the breathing technique throughout.

I took some Ashtanga yoga classes and after a while my back started to hurt. All the bending seems like it would be unhealthy for the back. Have you experienced any similar pain Andreas? It’s always hard to tell what kind of exercise is the best because there are so many fads and oftentimes not a lot of science behind them.

I never had back problems but, like many Ashtangis, I’ve had knee problems.

When starting the practice, Westerners often force their limbs into asanas like Lotus of Janu Sirsasana III too soon, damaging their knees.

This is deeply ironic, of course. As David Williams might say, it’s “like saying you injured yourself while praying.” Yoga is supposed to be a humble, entirely healthful and indeed healing practice, tailored to the individual.

But there you go: We’re in the west, and we want to be like the guys in the video.

Anyway, I do not know your age, body, physical history, so I can’t recommend this particular style because it might hurt you. But Yoga in general, appropriately taught and practiced, can only help. Technically, it’s all about the breathing. In theory, you could practice while sitting in traffic on the highway…. 😉